Sports Editor

It was two teams heading in total opposite directions on Oct. 25, 1997 when Pike County and Charles Henderson met in Memorial Stadium.

CHHS came into the game under second-year head coach Hugh Fountain at 6-1, while Tommy Wasden and the Bulldogs were struggling with just one win to their credit as the ’97 season came to a close.

But Pike County battled the Trojans to a scoreless tie as the first half came to a close. Charles Henderson was threatening to go up before the second quarter ended after quarterback Patrick Cain tossed a 41-yard completion to Jamar Green. That put the ball on the Bulldogs’ nine-yard line with 38 seconds left.

The ‘Dogs defense, however, rose to the challenge and stuffed CHHS’s charge to the endzone four straight times to end the half.

Midway through the third quarter, though, Charles Henderson got the break they wanted.

Linebacker Walter Henderson charged PCHS quarterback Terion Reynolds, causing a fumble which was scooped up by teammate Dax Pugh. One play later Pugh, playing tailback, cut through the Pike County defense from 16-yards out for the go-ahead score with 3:53 left in the third. The point-after-attempt was no good.

Charles Henderson’s lone touchdown proved to be the difference in the game. The Trojans’ defense would surrender an 11-play drive to the Bulldogs late in the game, but would rise up to stop running back Antonio Griffin on fourth and seven at Troy’s 27. CHHS then ate up the clock on the ground, preserving the 6-0 win and making Fountain 3-0 lifetime against the Bulldogs.

The hero of the game was probably CHHS punter Stan Peters. Peters kept the Bulldogs backed up on offense and averaged 41 yards on five punts for the evening.